Save the Date: IBS Returns to Vegas in 2013

February 04, 2012

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is getting ready to kick off the International Builders Show later this week in sunny Orlando. But home builders in Chicago will be happy to hear that plans are already underway for next year when the show returns to Las Vegas.

So save the date for next year’s show – Jan 22 – 24, 2013. Four days’ worth of exciting events and activities will be packed into three when the NAHB International Builders’ Show returns to Las Vegas. The largest annual light construction tradeshow in the world is expected to attract 50,000 attendees and more than 800 industry suppliers.

“It’s all about helping our attendees and exhibitors meet with each other in a much more efficient way,” said Mark Pursell, senior vice president of NAHB’s Exhibition, Marketing and Sales Group. “Tightening the trade show floor experience to three full days with expanded hours saves everyone money and results in a more productive experience for all.”

Gone are the days when home builders, remodelers and designers had time to invest in what can turn into a full week of time away from their businesses when travel and other considerations are taken into account. “It’s a trend that professional convention and expo planners see in all fields – not just the home building industry,” Pursell noted. “Attendees are eager to get back to their businesses and put the new knowledge about, products, services and management to work right away. Businesses must be more nimble to thrive in today’s economy.”

Flexibility and speed are also the thinking behind NAHB’s online and mobile Show planning tools, which attendees use to schedule meetings with exhibitors and choose from the more than 165 educational sessions and networking events, he said. “At the same, we are investing into a wider selection of networking opportunities at the Show- which is what both attendees and exhibitors say they want,” Pursell said.

There will be savings for Show exhibitors as well. “Dropping day four and adding an additional half hour to the schedule each day, allows exhibitors to save resources on an extra night of hotel accommodations, meals and other staffing and contractor expenses,” Pursell pointed out.

“Surveys of IBS attendees tell us that builders prefer to be home during the weekends. Wrapping up the show on Thursday will allow everyone to do so – even those from the East Coast,” said Larry Swank, chairman of NAHB’s Conventions & Meetings Committee and a home builder from Mishawaka, Ind. “This is a great solution for all of us – and a way to stay ahead of trends in the industry.”

About The Author

Carol Flammer is a public relations and social media marketing expert, strategist and consultant. With 20 years of experience, Carol has established herself as the “go to” for real estate and construction products public relations and social media. Carol is president of Flammer Relations, Inc., and managing partner of mRELEVANCE, LLC, a Marketing, Communication, Interactive agency with offices in Atlanta and Chicago.